Japan’s defense ministry has announced that it will consider procurement of the F-35 strike fighter as part of its Fiscal 2012 budget request. The F-35 would provide the Japan Air Self Defense Force with a fifth-generation fighter in lieu of the F-22, which US officials have said is not available for export. The Kyodo News reports (via Japan Today) that Japan seeks to acquire 40 aircraft, likely selecting the F-35 over the F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-15FX, and Eurofighter Typhoon. Although Japan decided against additional procurement of the indigenously developed Mitsubishi F-2 (based on the F-16) as a stopgap to F-35 delays, the defense ministry has not ruled out upgrading JASDF’s current fleet of F-15Js in the interim, according to the report.
US Has Struck Over 1,000 Houthi Targets in Renewed Campaign
April 30, 2025
U.S. forces have struck more than 1,000 Houthi targets in Yemen since March 15, U.S. officials said, as the Trump administration’s military campaign against the militants reached the 45-day mark. Dubbed Operation Rough Rider, the campaign has drawn on U.S. Navy and Air Force warplanes and drones. The campaign shows…